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(No Model.) 3 Sheets- 8mm; 1.,

- F. W. COLE.

SUGGESSIVE NON-INTERFERENCE SIGNAL BOX.

Patented Feb.3,1891.

WITNESEEE INVENTUR Gale,

(No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet 2.

F. W. COLE.

SUGGESSIVE NON-INTERFERENCE SIGNAL. BOX. 7 No. 445,802. Patented Feb. 3,1891.

INVENTDR 67M) F "E jredero'eZf w MW... J 7 7 7 "m5 cams PETERS cm. PuoTwumo msummuu, n. c.

3 Sheets-Sheet s;

(No Model.)

F. W. COLE. SUGOESSIVE NON-INTERFERENGE SIGNAL BOX.

Pat'nted Feb. 3, 1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK WV. COLE, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO MOSES G. CRANE, OF SAME PLACE.

SUCCESSIVE NON-INTERFERENCE SIGNAL-BOX.

.EECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 445,802, dated February 3, 1891.

Application filed October 10, 1889. Renewed January 5, 1891. Serial No. 876,713. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. COLE, of Newton, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in 5 Successive Non-Interference Signal-Boxes, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters and figures on the drawings representing like parts.

I This invention has for its object to improve theconstruction of non-interference fire-alarm boxes, and more especially to produce a successive box.

In accordance with this invention the sig- I naling mechanism comprises motor mechanism and a circuit-changing device, one part or member of which is moved or driven by the said motor mechanism. A stop or controlling lever is normally held in position to lock the signaling mechanism or hold it in a certain position of rest by means of a member which I herein denominate a F restorer. The restorer is controlled directly or indirectly by a pull or other actuator, which latter I herein denominate a signalinglever. A clog is arranged to co-operate with the said stop-lever for the motor mechanism which is under the control directly or indirectly of the armature of a non-interference magnet, or the aforesaid 3o armature may constitute said clog. The clog for the stop-lever is, however, preferably so connected with the said armature as to be moved out of the path of movement of the stop as or after the armature is attracted. A

3 5 retarding device is preferably provided to prevent the non-interference clog resuming its position out of engagement with or out of the path of movement of the stop-lever until after the circuit has remained closed or in its normal condition a predetermined length of time. Suitable circuit-controlling devices or switches are also preferably provided whereby when the box-door is closed the signaling mechanism and non-interference magnet are cutout, and when the box-door is open and the signaling-lever moved to effect the transmission of a signal the said signaling mechanism and non-interference magnet are included in the circuit.

Some of the parts of my invention to be more fully hereinafter described are applicable to other forms of signal-boxes and to other signaling apparatuses.

Figure 1 shows a face view of a signaling mechanism and other parts embodying this invention contained within a box, the faceplate, side walls, and door of the box being removed. Fig. 2 shows a detail of a portion of the door and circuit-switch controlled by it; Fig. 3, a detail of the circuit-controlling devices or switches contained in the box and operated by the signaling-lever; Figs. 4, 5, and 6, modifications to be referred to; Fig. 7, arear side view of the face-plate, or it may be a door, showing a lock for the pull; Figs. 8 and 9, other modifications to be referred to; and Fig. 10, a sectional detail of Fig. 1, taken on the dotted line a: 50.

The box or case, a portion of which is shown at A, Fig. 1, is of any suitable size and shape.

The signaling mechanism contained within the box is herein shown as consisting of a circuit-wheel a, fixed to a shaft a contactpens a (shown in dotted1ines,) and a train of gearing which comprises a toothed wheel a, fixed to the shaft a a pawl a carried by it, which engages a wheel 0., (shown in dotted lines,) secured to a sleeve mounted on the shaft a said sleeve having fixed to it a pinion a (shown in dotted linesJwhich is So engaged and rotated by a sector a pivoted at a". The wheel a is shown as having one tooth, and hence is rotated one or morecom- V plete revolutions by moving the sector a down, which is done by the actuating-arm a engaged by a catch at on a levera pivoted at 0. and having a spring (r connected to it at one end and a hook or pull c0 at the other end. The hook or pull a, or any equivalent member by which the signal-box is operated, I herein denominate the signalinglever.

As shown in Fig. 1, a weight Z) is connected to the sector-carrying arm, which is raised by it as the sector is moved down, and when 5 the sector is released operates to raise the sector or restore it to its normal elevated po sition and hence rotates a pinion a and wheel a in a direction opposite to the movement of the sector. As the wheel a is revolved in the [O0 direction given to it by the running down of the weight, it engages the pawl a and thereby rotates the shaft a carrying the circuit or signal-wheel a. The toothed wheel a engages a pinion 0, (see dotted lines,) fixed to a shaft 0', carrying the escape-wheel 0 with which co-operates a suitable pallet c and fan 0. A stop-pin 2 is fixed to one of the wheels of the train, (herein shown as the escape-wheel 0 and a stop or other controlling lever (Z is pivoted at (1, one arm, member, or projection 61 of which normally engages the pin 2 to limit the movement of or stop the train or motor mechanism or prevent it from operating. This stop always checks the progress of the motor at a certain time orwhen the parts are in a certain position before the weight has run down, stopping of the train at such time or when the parts are always in a certain position being deemed verydesirable, and a result which cannot be always attained when the complete running down of the weight is depended on for its accomplishment.

The lever d is acted on by a spring (1", arranged on the pivot cl, said spring turning said lever cl on its pivot when the lever is not held by a stronger force. Another arm, member, or projection (l of the stop-lever (Z is employed to be acted on by suitable means to return the said lever d to its normal position against the tension of the spring (i such means being herein represented as a pin 3 fixed to the sector a so that as the sector is moved in the direction of the arrow thereon to wind up the train the arm (I will follow the pin 3, and the arm (Z will recede from the path of movement of the pin 2, and while the sector is returning to its normal position the signaling mechanism will operate and the lever d be restored, if not otherwise held, as will be described.

The pin 3 constitutes the restorer for the stop-lever, and is herein so denominated, and instead of being arranged on the sector may be arranged on any movable member of the signaling mechanism which is controlled directly or indirectly by the signaling-lever.

The stop-lever d has a third arm, member, or projection d which is arranged to be engaged by a non-interference clog, which is shown in Fig. l as a projection e on an arm e, pivoted at 6 when said clog is moved into its normal position by the retraction of the armature, but to be disengaged or free to move when the said clog is in its abnormal position and the armature at such time being attracted. The arm 6' of the non-interference clog has a toothed end to form a sector which meshes with a pinion 0, fixed to a sleeve-carrying arm 0 An arm 0 is loosely connected to a shaft 0*, and'a pawl o is pivoted on said arm, which engages a ratchetwheel 0 fixed to said shaft. The pawl 0 is connected by a pin-and-slot connection with the arm 0 to be thereby moved by the sector. An escape-wheel 0 is fixed to the shaft 0, with which co-operates a suitable pallet 0 to obstruct movement of the stop-lever.

This sector, pinion, pawl, ratchet-wheel, and escape-wheel constitute a retarding device for the non-interference clog and operates to retard its movement in the direction shown by the arrow thereon, but permitting said clog to move freelyin the opposite direction, although many other forms of retarding device may be employed in lieu of the particular construction herein shown and described.

An electromagnet f, herein termed the non-interference magnet, is suitably supported within the box, the pivoted armature f of which is connected by a spring 4 with the clog carrier or arm 6, the function of the spring being to hold the arm and clog carried by it up, so that a projection 5, formed thereon, (see dotted lines,) bears directly against the armature. \Vhen the magnet f is demagnetized, its armature f is retracted by means of its retractile spring 85, and the clog lying in its path of movement is moved positively by it in a direction opposite the arrow thereon. hen the magnet f is energized, its armature f will immediately close on the poles and in so doing will stretch the spring 4, as

the attractive force of the magnet is greater than the strength of said spring 4 and as the part c is held back by the retarding device. The spring 4: being thus extended sufficient power is accumulated to draw up the part c as said spring assumes its normal condition, thereby restoring said part c. \Vhen the part c has been restored, the stop-lever has a free unobstructed path.

When it is desired to transmit a signal from the home-box, the door is opened and the signaling-lever depressed, and it the line is clear the non-interference magnet f, which is at such time included in the signaling-circuit, will attract its armature and the clog will be removed from obstructing the movement of the stop-lever to allow the motor to operate; but if a signrl is being transmitted from anotherbox in the line at the time that the boxdoor is opened, the armature f of the noninterference magnet will remain retracted and the clog will thereby occupy a position to prevent movement of the stop-leverd; but as soon as the said signal has been transmitted and the line closed a sufficient length of time to allow the armature to draw up the clog to its other position by means of the spring 4, the stop-lever d may then be released or moved and the signal transmitted.

If, after the box-door is opened but beforethe signal is started, a signal should be started from another box, the armature will be retracted and the clog placed in position Thus it will be seen that if the circuitis not in condition to transmit a signal at the time the which time the motor will be released and the signal transmitted.

By means of the retarding device for the clog it will be seen that the stop-lever d cannot be released during the short intervals of time which will elapse during the successive impulses or closures of the circuit caused by another signal being transmitted over the line.

It is sometimesdesirable to normally include the non-interference magnet in the main signaling-circuit instead of cutting it in or including it by opening the door, and in such event the circuit-changer or switch controlled by the door herein shown will be omitted.

In lieu of the particular form of clog'and retarding device shown in Fig. 1, the form shown in Fig. 4: may be employed, it having at its outer end a spring-controlled pawl g,

which engages a ratchet-toothed wheel g,

fixed to a shaft to which shaft is fixed an escape-wheel 9 but in this instance the formation of the non-interference clog is substantially as above statedviz., as a projection or shoulder on the clog-carrying arm, the whole, however, constituting a clog. In this instance it will be seen that the armature instead of being independent of the clog is attached to or carried by it.

In Fig. 5 the armature f is elastically connected by means of a spring 4 with the clogcarrying arm similar to that shown in Fig. 1, and the clog or arm carrying it is connected by a link with the pawl which engages the ratchet-wheel fixed to the shaft carrying the escapewheel.

In Fig. 6 the restorer 3, against which the stop-lever bears, and which is controlled by the signalinglever, is arranged on the wheel in, which wheel is fixed to a shaft having a pinion w engaged by a sector on the winding-arbor; but, as above stated, I do not desire to limit my invention to any particular location of the restorer 3, as it may be arranged on any wheel or moving part of the mechanism. In this instance the clog e is formed on or carried by the armature of the electromagnet. The stop-lever comprising the arms (Z (Z d is in this instance substantially the same as in Fig. 1, and its function is the same. \Vhen the sector a is pulled down by the sig naling-lever the pinion 10, its shaft, and the wheel 10 are revolved in a direction opposite to the movement of the sector, and at such time the restorer 3 moving out of the way allows the stop-lever to be under the control of the spring (i The wheel 10 engages and rotates when moved by the sector, a pinion w (see dotted lines,) fixed to a sleeve carrying a wheel 20, which has one notch or shoulder to be engaged by a pawl a, arranged on the wheel a". The circuit-wheel is arranged on the shaft c which, when rotated, moves one arm or member of a key in usual manner. The signal is sent in usual manner by pulling the hook down and then letting go. The catch a (see Fig. 7,) which engages the arm a is shown as pivoted at t to the arm a Said cat-ch has a beveled face at each end, as at '6 t andalso a shoulder at or near each end, as at t 25 Two studs 25 25 are arranged on the face-plate, or it may be -the door, one to cooperate'with each beveled face to move the catch on its pivot. hen the arm (0 is in its normal or elevated position, the shoulder t of the catch engages the arm a while the opposite end of the catch is acted upon by a strong spring t As the arm (1. 1s depressed or pulled down, the arm (d is carried down by it until the beveled face i bears on the stud t and turns the catch far enough to release the arm a permitting it to resume its normal position. As the arm a is returned to its normal position, a light springt presses the catch against a pin t so that the should er 6' cannot in any manner be brought into the path of movement of the arm a until the arm a has nearly reached its starting-point when the beveled face t acts on or against the stud turning the catch on its pivot until the shoulder t passes over and engages the said stud 25. Just as the arm a arrives at its normal position the end of it bears against the beveled face i and turns the catch a little further against the strong spring 6 and releases the stud 6 thus placing all the parts in their normal position.

It is herein preferred to cut out the signaling mechanism when the box-door is closed, an d to accomplish this result I have provided two contact-pins it" (see Figs. 1 and 2) supported on an insulated block within the box, and a movable pen or switch 2' supported on another insulated block which is engaged and moved by a projection secured to or formed on the inside of the door 2' and I have also secured two pens n it (see Fig. 3) to an insulated block if, the outer or free ends of which rest on a conducting-block a secured to the sector-carrying arm or lever. I have also secured to the insulated block a conductingblocks or contacts a" n immediately beneath the pens n n.

Then the apparatus is in the condition shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the box-door closed, the current passes over the circuitwire 6, pen 9?, pen 2', wire 7, pen a, block of, pen n, and wire 8. When the door of the box is open, the current passes over the wire 6, pen *3, pen ii, wire 9, through the key K, wire 10, bell B, wire 11, pen a, block a pen n, and wire 8. hen the sector a is moved in the direction of the arrow thereon, the pens a a fall upon the blocks a a, and at such time the current passes over the Wire 6, pen 1?, pen 77., wire 9, through key K, wire 10,bell B, wire 11, pen a, block a wire 12, through the coil of the non-interference magnet f, wire 13,contaot-pens a, wire 14, itsblocknt pen a, and wire 8. The contact-pens being thus included in the signaling circuit, the signal-wheel in revolving will co-operate therewith and a succession of malres i w 445,e02

and breaks is the result. As the sector a resumes its normal position the conductingblock 11 engages the pens n a prior to lifting them, and as soonas such engagement is effected the current will pass over the wire 6, pen pen 2", wire 9, through key K, wire 10, bell B, wire 11, pen a, block n pen a, and wire 8, although at this same time there is also a path for the current through pen a, block 11 wire 12, through coil of non-interference magnet J, wire 13, contact-pens a wire 14, block a, and pen it; but owing to the resistance of the coil f the current will take the course first described, and hence the coil and contact-pens are shunted out. The sector lastly lifts the pens n a from the blocks a a and thereby cuts out the parts which were just previously shunted out.

The contact-pens a a and block a constitute a switch for shunting out the non-interference-magnet and circuit-wheel, and the pens n a and block n n constitute a switch for cutting out said non-interference magnet and circuit-wheel.

Referring to Fig. 8, the armature f is connected with the locking-lever w by a spring 82, and the sector 10' of the retarding device is also carried by said locking-lever. The locking-lever is held in engagement with the train by means of a spring 83 held up by the sector As the sector is depressed, the spring 83 returns to its normal position and the armature f, approaching the poles of the magnet, draws the locking-lever out of engagement with the train and permits it to operate.

Referring to Fig. 9, a weight 10 is arranged on the arm, carrying the sector of the retarding device in lieu of a sprin It will be observed that the signal-box herein described is a successive box-that is, it once pulled it will send in its signal if the line is unemployed or uninterrupted; but if the line is interrupted, as by a signal from another box being transmitted, the movement will be held in suspension until the line is clear, and that all the modified forms shown are also successive boxes.

I do not herein broadly claim the combination, with atrain and signal-wheel, of a switch for shunting out the said signal-wheel and another switch for cutting out the said signalwheel, which switches are operated in succession to first shunt out and thereafter cut out the signal-Wheel, as the same forms the subject of another application, Serial No. 375,553, filed by me.

I claim 7 1. In a non-interference signal-box, a signaling-irain, a stop-lever for it, a spring for moving said stop-lever to release the train, and a non-interference magnet, combined with a pin on one of the moving parts of the train for holding said stop-lever against the tension of its actuating-spring, and an armature for the non-interference magnet, which also holds the said stop-lever against the tension of its actuating-spring when retracted, sub: stantially as described.

2. In a signal-box, a signaling-train, and a stop-lever for it, combined with a restoring and holding pin on one of the moving parts of the train for restoring and holding said stop-lever in position to engage and hold the signaling-train, a non-interference magnet, and its armature controlling the operation of said stop-lever, substantially as described.

3. In a signal-box, a signaling-train, and a stop-lever for it,combined with a restoringand holding pin on one of the moving parts of the train for restoring and holding said stop-lever in position to engage and hold the signaling-train, a signal-lever for moving said pin to release the stop-lever, a non-interference magnet, and its armature controlling the operation of said stop-lever, substantially as described. v

4:. In a signal-box, a signaling mechanism, and a stop-lever for it, combined with a restorer controlled by the signaling-lever for normally holding said stop-lever in position to engage the signaling mechanism, a non-interference magnet and its armature, and a clog controlled by the said armature and 00- operating with said stop-lever, preventing its movement when the said armature is retracted, substantially as described.

5. In a signal-box, a signaling mechanism, combined with a stop-lever, a restorer controlled by the signaling-lever, by which said stop-lever is normally held in position to engage the said signaling mechanism and adapted to be disengaged therefrom by a movement of said signaling-lever, a non-interference clog for the said stop-lever, a non-interference magnet, and its armature controlling said clog, substantially as described.

6. In a signal-box, a motor mechanism, and a non-interference magnet and its armature, combined with a stop-lever, movement of which is determined by the armature of the non-interference magnet, a restorer for normally holding said stop-lever in engagement with said motor mechanism, and a signalinglever for moving said restorer to disengagesaid stop-lever that the latter shall occupy a position permitting the motor mechanism to operate, substantially as described.

7. In a signal-box, a motor mechanism, and a non-interference magnet and its armature, combined with a stop-lever normally held by a restorer controlled by the signaling-lever, in engagement with the motor mechanism, movement of which stop-lever is determined by the position of the armature of the noninterference magnet, and a signaling-lever for releasing the stop-lever that it shall occupy a position permitting the motor mechanism to operate, and a retarding device governing the return movement only of said armature, substantially as described.

8. In a signal-box, the signaling mechanism and stop-lever therefor, combined with anoninterference clog for the said stop-lever, a re- IIO tardin g device therefor, and anon -i nterl'crence magnet an d its armature elastically connected with the said clog, substantially as described.

9. In asignal-box, the signaling mechanism and stop-lever therefor, a restorer, and signaling-lever, combined with a movable clog co-operating with said stop-lever, a retarding device for said clog, a non-iuterference magnet and its armature connected with the said clog, substantially as described.

10. In a signabbox, the signaling mechanism, and non-interference magnet and its armature, combined with a non-interference clog and a retarding device therefor, and a spring connecting the armature and said non-interference clog, substantially as described.

11. In a signal-box, the signaling mechanism comprising the circuit-wheel, contact-pen, motor, and sector, combined with astop-lever one arm of which is in engagement with the escapement of the signaling mechanism, another arm of which is in engagement with a restorer controlled by the signaling-lever, and a non-interference clog controlled by a noninterference magnetco-operating with a third arm of said stop-lever, substantially as de scribed.

12. In a signal-box, the non-interference magnet, the signaling mechanism, and signaling-lever, combined with a switch consisting of two pens n n, and the conducting-blocks n n, and a conducting-piece carried by the sign aling-lever for moving the pens, whereby the signaling mechanism may be first shunted out and thereafter cut out as the signalinglever resumes its normal position, substantially as described.

13. In a signal-box, the non-interference magnet, circuit-wheel and train, and signaling-lever, combined with a switch for shunting out the non-interference magnet and circuit-wheel and a' switch for cutting out said non-interference magnet and circuit-wheel, said switches being operated in succession to first shunt out and thereafter cut out the said non-interference magnet and circuit-wheel, substantially as described.

14. In a signal-box, a motor mechanism, and a non-interference magnet and its armature, combined with a stop-lever normally held in engagement with the motor mechanism, a noninterference clog controlled by the armature of the non-interference magnet, and a retarding device, substantially as described.

15. In a signal-box, a non-interference mag; net and a retarding device for the non-interference controlling member of the signaling mechanism, consisting of a sector, pinion, pawl, pawl-engaging arm, pawl-carrying arm, ratchet-wheel, escape-wheel, and pallet, substantially as described.

16. In a signal-box, an actuating-arm operatively connected with the signaling mechanism,and an adjacent movable arm, combined with a catch beveled at each end and pivoted to the said adjacent arm, a spring for normally throwin said catch into engagement with the actuating-arm, a pin for throwing said catch out of engagement with said actuating-arm, and a locking-pin which is engaged by said catch when the arm carrying it is in its normal position and the actuating-arm is in its abnormal position, substantially as described.

17. A magnet and its armature, combined with a part restrained in its movement in one direction but movable freely in its opposite direction, and a connecting-springconnecting said part with the armature, substantially as described. 7

18. A magnet, its armature, and a part connect-ed therewith by a spring, combined with a retarding device with which the said part engages when moving in one direction, substantially as described.

19. A magnet, its armature free to respond to changes in the current, and timed mechanism operated thereby through the medium of a spring when moving in one direction, that the armature may always apply the same relative power to the timed mechanism without regard to the variations of themagnetizing current or of the magnet, and thereby produce uniform time in successive movements of the mechanism, substantially as described.

20. In a signal-box, a non-interfereiiice magnet, its armature, a timed retarding device, a stop-lever, and a clog, the armature of the said non-interference magnet when moving in one direction moving the clog to cause the stop-lever to hold the signaling-train inoperative and when moving in the opposite direction to render the stop-lever under the control of the said timed non-interference retarding device, that it may disengage the signal ing mechanism after a predetermined time from said last movement of the armature, substantially as described.

21. A magnet, its armature, and retractile spring, as 85, therefor, and a part, as e located adjacent to said armature, to be moved by it positively in one direction, and arestoring-spring, as 4:, for said part, substantially as described.

22. In asignal-box, asignaling mechanism and a stop for it, combined with a restorer for normally holding the said stop-lever in position to lock the signaling mechanism, anon-interference magnet, its armature, a retarding device, and a clog controlled by the armature and acted on by the retarding device for holding the stop-lever in position to still look the signaling mechanism after it has been released by said restorer, substan* tially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two snbscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK W. COLE. Witnesses:

BERNICE .T. Novas, ANNIE S. WmeANn. 

